I slept until the small hours, my body clearly having been in desperate need of it. Waking just before five, needing to use the bathroom, I decided it was as good a time as any to get up. Glancing out of the window, I could see that Ingrid Devlin had clearly given up waiting – hopefully some hours ago – and her car was gone.

I breathed a sigh of relief and hoped she wouldn’t be back. I’d tear up that stupid card of hers and call either Constable King or DI Bradley as soon as was reasonable to let them know that she’d been sniffing round. No, more than that, it seemed very likely there was a mole in the investigation who was leaking information to the press. Information that could put me in direct danger.

I decided to go downstairs and make myself a cup of tea and some toast. Maybe I’d watch some TV, something light to distract myself from everything that was happening around me. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I saw a lined page from a reporter’s notebook that had been folded over lying on the floor by the door. My name was scrawled on the cover. I had to give Ingrid Devlin something: she was persistent if nothing else. I picked it up and carried it through to the kitchen, where I switched on the light and put on my glasses before reading her looping, swirling scrawl:

Mrs O’Loughlin,

I’m sorry you didn’t feel you could talk to me earlier. I assure you I have your best interests and the best interests of the story at heart.

I’ve heard you received a nasty surprise this morning, one that may have referenced the very tragic death of your daughter, Laura, and that police believe may also be linked to the murder of Clare Taylor.

Mrs O’Loughlin, I’ve spoken to my editor and we fully intend to run a piece in the paper showcasing this new information. We believe it will ultimately help the police to catch the person responsible for Ms Taylor’s death.

As a courtesy, I’m letting you know about the article, which will be running in Monday’s edition, so that you can decide whether you want to add anything, or speak about your relationship with your daughter and how you feel in the wake of being so close to yet another terrible tragedy.

You can reach me on the numbers on my business card, either my office number or my mobile.

Best wishes,

Ingrid